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Cultural heart of Brisbane nurtured as population grows

West End’s historic Boundary Hotel has made an important change of scenery with the launch of ‘Sunday chill sessions’, supporting its local culture and talent.

With the area becoming a key location for new developments and therefore a growing population, West End Community Association president Dr Erin Evans says initiatives such as this will ensure new comers to West End feel a sense of community.

“One of the most important things about a community is that people must feel safe and if the drinking culture gets out of hand a community cannot thrive,” she said.

“We were very pleased with the announcement of the shift to the chill sessions as it has brought back an event that is much more aligned with the community.”

Dr Evans said that over time the former ‘Sunday sessions’ at the Boundary were really starting to promote anti-social behaviour and take away from the artistic nature of West End.

“It’s a really old establishment, a family run business, and it’s got all the things that the community want from West End, she said.

“Feedback from locals tells us that they now feel comfortable attending these events.”

The Boundary’s chill sessions are intended to nurture local musicians, artists and the broader community to support them in enjoying live, local music.

Q Music Brisbane executive officer Joel Edmondson said live music in Brisbane was very under-represented and the area could benefit a lot more from it.

“Its value is self evident, any opportunity for musicians to perform is important,” he said.

“Live music creates a point of difference for venues and is a great way of bringing a venue to life and bringing people in off the streets.”

The new venture comes as the future of Brisbane’s entertainment industry seems uncertain, with the Tivoli being placed on the marketand the introduction of Queensland’s new lock out laws.

The Boundary Hotels Event Coordinator, Kel Timmons said that the establishment came to realise that Brisbane is lacking places for artists to go for live music in Brisbane.

“Essentially the chill sessions are giving up-and-coming Brisbane musicians a chance to work alongside larger Australian and international acts, she said.

“The atmosphere is very laid back and has a very west end feeling.”

Ms Timmons said that while the Boundary had to take a large loss of income to remove their Sunday sessions, this new initiative is far more favourable as it supports local artists to stay and work in Brisbane.

“It’s never going to have the same numbers as the Sunday sessions but it’s more in sync with the West End lifestyle,” she said.

This Sunday’s free event will feature the band Kingfisha and is open from 2:30pm for all ages.